Watts Mills’s public schools score below 76% of South Carolina districts on tests and graduation
25% of students in Watts Mills’s public schools are proficient in math, below the South Carolina average (41%). The grade covers the public school district serving Watts Mills, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within South Carolina, not nationally.
From South Carolina state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Watts Mills’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 38% of tested students were proficient in reading and 25% in math, against 52% and 41% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
81% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84% across South Carolina. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $15,531 per student, against $15,090 across South Carolina (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then four middle and one high school
Which school depends on the address at the later steps. Enrollment is down 7% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Watts Mills’s grade
C−: better than 24% of South Carolina school districts. Both inputs trail the South Carolina average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Watts Mills, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Watts Mills
Ford Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 423 students · 10:1 students per teacher · in Laurens
Kindergarten in Watts Mills
Ford Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 423 students · 10:1 students per teacher · in Laurens
1st grade in Watts Mills
Ford Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 423 students · 10:1 students per teacher · in Laurens
2nd grade in Watts Mills
Ford Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 423 students · 10:1 students per teacher · in Laurens
3rd grade in Watts Mills
Ford Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 423 students · 10:1 students per teacher · in Laurens
4th grade in Watts Mills
Ford Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 423 students · 10:1 students per teacher · in Laurens
5th grade in Watts Mills
Ford Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 423 students · 10:1 students per teacher · in Laurens
9th grade in Watts Mills
Laurens District 55 High
Grades 9–12 · 1,434 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Laurens
10th grade in Watts Mills
Laurens District 55 High
Grades 9–12 · 1,434 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Laurens
11th grade in Watts Mills
Laurens District 55 High
Grades 9–12 · 1,434 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Laurens
12th grade in Watts Mills
Laurens District 55 High
Grades 9–12 · 1,434 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Laurens
Watts Mills’s public schools are run by Laurens School District 55, which also serves Gray Court, Laurens and Waterloo. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Watts Mills vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the South Carolina towns that share Watts Mills’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Watts Mills | C− | Laurens School District 55 |
| Laurens | C− | Laurens School District 55 |
Every school in Watts Mills
6 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with South Carolina’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Watts Mills’s schools
Are Watts Mills’s schools good?
On South Carolina’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Watts Mills children attend score below 76% of South Carolina’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 22%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Watts Mills in?
Laurens School District 55, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 4,984 students in 9 schools (2024–25).
Where do Watts Mills kids go to high school?
Laurens District 55 High in Laurens, with 1,434 students; its own test results earn a B.
What is Watts Mills’s graduation rate?
81% of the class of 2023 in Laurens School District 55 graduated in four years, against 84% across South Carolina.
How much does Watts Mills spend per student?
$15,531 in Laurens School District 55 (FY2024), against $15,090 across South Carolina. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Watts Mills families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Watts Mills → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within South Carolina. Stars are from neighbors.